ENGLISH
REFERENCE

scratch that

idiom
Meaning

To disregard, omit, or ignore the previous statement.


Origin

disputed origin

See scratch (“cross out, strike through”).

Examples
SIMPLE

I want coffee, scratch that, I want tea.

CONTEXTUAL

We should meet at noon, scratch that, let's make it two o'clock instead.

COMPLEX

He began to explain his complex theory, but then, deciding it was too confusing, he said, scratch that, and started over with a much simpler example.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    chicken scratch

    Cramped or illegible handwriting.

  2. 02

    scratch an itch

    To satisfy a need or desire.

  3. 03

    scratch beneath the surface

    To look or see beyond what is obvious.

  4. 04

    scratch by

    To get by; to make ends meet.

  5. 05

    scratch one's head

    To puzzle, ponder, or wonder about something.

  6. 06

    scratch one's own itch

    To do something out of motivation to solve a personal problem; to take matters into one's own hands.

  7. 07

    scratch the itch

    Alternative form of scratch an itch.

  8. 08

    scratch the surface

    To barely begin; to see or do only a fraction of what is possible.

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